Brompton brake levers

Jim Price said:

I've been a little unhappy with my Brompton brake levers, so I decided
to change them for something which gives a more solid feel. I discovered
the cables which came with the Brommie had nipples much larger than
would fit in a set of Shimano R440 flat bar road levers, and the nipples
had quite obviously been filed down from an even larger size. I wonder
what's going on there?

I've been using the R440's as well and they give a bit more room on the
bars. I notice that AtoB magazine is doing a test of the R440s and
Cannondale Froglegs (seem to be similar to the various top bar brake
levers on cross bikes) for Bromptons next issue. Don't know about the
cables, I replace the inners when I did my swap.

Quoted message said:

The next thing the Brommie needs is a better saddle than the standard
one, so I'm off to scour eBay for the right saddle clamp - the Brompton
standard one is a bit 'orrible and doesn't clamp to a standard twin rail
saddle.

You need the new Brompton pentaclip.

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham

Jim Price said:

IThe next thing the Brommie needs is a better saddle than the standard
one, so I'm off to scour eBay for the right saddle clamp - the Brompton
standard one is a bit 'orrible and doesn't clamp to a standard twin rail
saddle.

I popped down my nearest LBS with seat pin and saddle and they found a
clamp that worked.
A single pound was all that was handed over.

John B

Tony Raven said:

I've been using the R440's as well and they give a bit more room on the
bars. I notice that AtoB magazine is doing a test of the R440s and
Cannondale Froglegs (seem to be similar to the various top bar brake
levers on cross bikes) for Bromptons next issue. Don't know about the
cables, I replace the inners when I did my swap.

Wouldn't cross bike levers be for a larger diameter handlebar? Anyway, I
shall be interested to find out what they say about both of them.

Quoted message said:

You need the new Brompton pentaclip.

So that's what the little chappie is called! I take it it's the rather
snazzy little alloy thing they put on the ones which cost a lot more
than I can afford, even given Gordon's generosity.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

John B said:

Jim Price said:

IThe next thing the Brommie needs is a better saddle than the standard
one, so I'm off to scour eBay for the right saddle clamp - the Brompton
standard one is a bit 'orrible and doesn't clamp to a standard twin rail
saddle.

I popped down my nearest LBS with seat pin and saddle and they found a
clamp that worked.
A single pound was all that was handed over.

Thanks for the suggestion. I prolly have one that would work in the
parts skip, but I'm looking for something a little more up market than
the standard pressed steel affair, which I can't see coping with the
combination of my weight and the "saddle right forward" attitude of the
Brompton riding position.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

Brooks B66 fit OK without the expensive clip, and it suits my bum!!

SW

"Jim Price" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been a little unhappy with my Brompton brake levers, so I decided to
change them for something which gives a more solid feel. I discovered the
cables which came with the Brommie had nipples much larger than would fit
in a set of Shimano R440 flat bar road levers, and the nipples had quite
obviously been filed down from an even larger size. I wonder what's going
on there?

Anyway, the new brake levers gave the improvement I was looking for in
case anyone else is thinking of doing the same thing, and of course
they're black to match the bike. I may be trying to get people to confuse
me for a gentleman 😉¬

The next thing the Brommie needs is a better saddle than the standard one,
so I'm off to scour eBay for the right saddle clamp - the Brompton
standard one is a bit 'orrible and doesn't clamp to a standard twin rail
saddle.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

Steve Watkin said:

Brooks B66 fit OK without the expensive clip, and it suits my bum!!

I tend to carry the Brommie by the front of the saddle quite a lot. How
would this work out with the B66? It looks like it wouldn't be very
comfortable if used as a carrying handle.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

Well truth is, I don't carry mine much. The saddle is defiantly strong
enough but a little more uncomfortable to hold. When I do carry it I tend
to hold it by the main frame tube and that's a lot more comfortable.
But the bum comfort factor is many times higher!!

SW

"Jim Price" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Watkin said:

Brooks B66 fit OK without the expensive clip, and it suits my bum!!

I tend to carry the Brommie by the front of the saddle quite a lot. How
would this work out with the B66? It looks like it wouldn't be very
comfortable if used as a carrying handle.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA